Performance Anxiety:
Are You Anxious About Performing Your Best?

Performance anxiety means different things to different people. Studies have long shown that the most commonly held fear people share is the fear of public speaking.

The great British actor Sir Derek Jacobi suffers from such stage fright that he could not perform before a live audience for over two years in the early 1980s, and still gets physically ill before each live performance. For other people, performance anxiety only surfaces with their sexual partners.

Performance anxiety, as the name indicates, affects people when they anticipate being the center of attention. It may be experienced to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the importance of the performance and size of the audience involved, and if the sufferer is performing alone or as part of a group.

Some people notice that, once their performance gets underway, they can relax and their anxiety will give them the nervous energy they need to really shine. Others have performance anxiety only when they know that they are not capable, either from lack of talent or lack of preparation, of the performing at the expected level. If they study, or rehearse, or do whatever will prepare them suddenly for similar situations in the future, they will usually overcome their performance anxiety symptoms.

Performance anxiety usually arises from an underlying fear of failure. The persons performing become so obsessed with the idea that those watching are judging them negatively, or that they will fail the test, that panic overcomes them. Shaking hands and knees, trembling or breaking voice, and excessive perspiring are all giveaways that a performer is experiencing performance anxiety.

There are, however, ways to overcome performance anxiety, and they are all things you can do on your own. You can learn, as great performing artists do, to channel your heightened physical energy into your performances. And pay attention to the your positive feelings--excitement that you were asked to perform, and pride in knowing that you have something unique to offer your audience.

Learn deep breathing relaxation. You can practice it anywhere and it will go a very long way to lowering your heart rate and blood pressure, and keeping your voice under control.

Turn your attention to the audience who is paying attention to you. This will keep you from triggering your performance anxiety by mentally critiquing yourself as you go. So self-consciousness won’t interfere with your performance.

Finally, if at all possible, find something in your material about which you are passionate. Your performance anxiety will almost certainly take a backseat to your eagerness to share that passion, and you will leave the experience knowing that you have been your most effective!

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